Knee/shin guards

boylagz · Dec 20, 2012

Im currently on Fox Launch Pro knee pads. Best Ive ever used. Stays in place, outstanding coverage and not hot at all, even for the amount of padding it offers (good side coverage). If you want some shin pro get the Launch Pro knee/shin. Ive been on 661 Kyles, one of the 661 knee/shins, AStars SLC kevlar knees...

Good luck.

DMdh · Dec 20, 2012

boylagz said:
Im currently on Fox Launch Pro knee pads. Best Ive ever used. Stays in place, outstanding coverage and not hot at all, even for the amount of padding it offers (good side coverage). If you want some shin pro get the Launch Pro knee/shin. Ive been on 661 Kyles, one of the 661 knee/shins, AStars SLC kevlar knees...

Good luck.

I have the fox launch pro too and they are perfect. Best Ive ever used.

Mo(n)arch · Dec 20, 2012

The new Scott pads should be awesome. Basically like the TLD Tbones only with complete d3o material. SUper comfy, stay in place and offer side protection.
They are on the warmer side, though.

ustemuf · Dec 20, 2012

Those are not the right Fox launches.. these are:

http://shop.foxhead.com/store/products/Guards/detail/Fox-Launch-Knee-Shin/6912/cat60004

MinorThreat · Dec 20, 2012

I'm still sold on the 661 Pros. Unfortunately, One discontinued them; but there are still a few places that have stock. I did a little mini-review here once to show how they worked for me with my scrawny chicken-legs:

http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=233965&p=3572454&viewfull=1#post3572454

Foxbat · Dec 20, 2012

I tried a number of hard plastic faced knee/shin guards and had quite a bit of trouble finding something that would stay put in a crash (damn you TLD Brian Lopes pads!) and not chafe the backs of my knees. My friend recommended I try the Lizardskins Softcell pads and they fit the bill. Not too hot either for a day of shuttling in hot San Diego either.

As for sizing, my build is similar to your's and I tried both sizes and found the L/XL model provided the best coverage but the straps were a bit long. I took them to a local tailor to shorten the straps and they were perfect!

Sandwich · Dec 21, 2012

Pretty happy with my Kali Aazis 130s...They're really similar to the newer fox launch pros. They offer some side protection in key areas, but not a ton. Not a lot of pads do, but I typically haven't fallen sideways in my many years of riding, the impact is usually from face first sliding or knee impacts, so the light padding is sufficient. The kalis are very comfortable and surprisingly stay in place. I was kind of between sizes and kind of wish I went down in size, but I could barely pull those on.

They are sooooooooooo much more comfortable than my raceface/roach pads, it's like I wasn't wearing anything.

kidwoo · Dec 21, 2012

Verskis: I still love those lizard skins. I've had those things on for 12 hours at a time and have even left them on to stay warm one night to deal with a shuttle truck mess up. No sore spots, ever. They really are the most comfortable pads I've ever had that aren't useless when crashed on.

I understand why people like the launch ones but one seriously out of control ragdoll with side impacts and their weaknesses become apparent real quick like. Without sitting on top of your foot, those things have nothing keeping them in place. That rarely happens but when it does, you might as well be wearing nothing. And they don't protect the top of your knee very much because that little flap doesn't conform to a bent leg. The lizard skins aren't fantastic in that regard either but they're a lot better than most just because you get get them really attached to your leg.

If you and I were on the same continent I'd just mail you the pair of launches I have. I really don't like them. They're like wearing a sheet of stiff cardboard that only covers your shin.........with flimsy elastic for straps.

Sandwich · Dec 21, 2012

Just to be clear:
Fox lunch:

Fox lunch pro:

people always mix em up and fox was super-smart by naming them exactly the same thing.

Deano · Dec 21, 2012

the alpine stars moab do it for me, ticks all the boxes.

not cheap tho.

best knee/shin guards i have used.

MinorThreat · Dec 21, 2012

Sandwich said:
Just to be clear:
Fox lunch: . . . .

You're making me hungry - - I thought you said 'box lunch.'

Capricorn · Dec 21, 2012

Deano said:
the alpine stars moab do it for me, ticks all the boxes.

not cheap tho.

best knee/shin guards i have used.

Agreed. but the OP might disagree with us when it comes to scrubbing the back of the leg. In the first edition of the Moabs, if you didnt line the velcro straps up just so, it would prickle your skin abit/alot.. I havent bought the subsequent releases, but can anyone confirm they've fixed that little bit of friction?

edit: they've fixed it. CHeck the calf strap width in the following pics.

2011 Moab:

2013 Moab:

That looks way more comfy than the chaff-trap on the first edition. and a bit cheaper too from CRC this time round.

chequebookracer · Dec 21, 2012

I have the moabs, I'm super skinny and none of the knee only neoprene type things stay on me in a crash; previously the only pad I've had that stay put was Dainese bibs which are a bit hot for pushing up in the local woods. The Moabs work really well, although if you run them with shorts they fill up with dirt through the gaps round the knee and so they are even more expensive as you need the knee socks things to go over them. Now I've spent the cash I'm really happy with them. The chafing thing mentioned above seems okay with me, but you do have to be careful on the old style how you set the straps.

csermonet · Dec 21, 2012

not a proponent of knee/shin combo, never had a problem with my knee only. but if you are set on knee/shin combo, this is a damn good read/review. courtesy of a fellow monkey as well.

http://blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/lizard-skins-kneeshin-combo-body-armor

stiksandstones · Dec 21, 2012

No mention of the Lopes guards in here? the OP was looking for a knee shin, those work for me, but I am old school and like a lower guard, lots of protection...but also love our shock dr/TLD guards for general trail shredding, shuttling.
If you guys have critiques on the Lopes guard, let me know here, looking to revise them with Brian soon.

MinorThreat · Dec 21, 2012

stiksandstones said:
No mention of the Lopes guards in here? . . . If you guys have critiques on the Lopes guard, let me know here, looking to revise them with Brian soon.

Got critiqued in post #9 (http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=255790&p=3854715&viewfull=1#post3854715) - - Shilling demands more thorough read-through. They evidently don't like to stay in place; otherwise they are awesome.

ICEBALL585 · Dec 21, 2012

Been using the 661 race shin/knee for a few years. They've gotten the job done so far and still holding up well.

(I also have the 611 race elbow guards)

Da Peach · Dec 21, 2012

If you like the POC knees, you might like the Joint Knee/shin. They're hot as hell, but they're a loooong version of the knees.

I had a pair, but I felt they looked kinda funny, and they were, as I mentioned, hot as hell.

Foxbat · Dec 22, 2012

So I dug up my Lizardskins from the garage and they are size L/XL. For reference I'm 5'10", 32" inseam with thighs much larger in proportion to my calves. The S/M size fit reasonably well, but I remember the L/XL lower shin guard provided better coverage.

stiksandstones said:
No mention of the Lopes guards in here? the OP was looking for a knee shin, those work for me, but I am old school and like a lower guard, lots of protection...but also love our shock dr/TLD guards for general trail shredding, shuttling.
If you guys have critiques on the Lopes guard, let me know here, looking to revise them with Brian soon.

Thanks for pinging the community for feedback since I think knee/shin guards are probably one of the more difficult things to get right. I thought the TLD Brian Lopes model would work awesome but in spite of a snug fit, the neoprene knee sleeve would slide down my leg under impact leaving my kneecap unprotected. This really surprised me since they feel really secure trying them on but after a few good crashes I had to look for something else. Also, if you want to take them off before starting a climb back up the hill, they are not easy to get over shoes compared to guards that have more conventional straps.

Zark · Dec 22, 2012

I have the moabs, my experience has been much like other posters. They stay in place really great on my skinny bird calves. The leave the best dirt tan lines ever. The knee strap needs to positioned right it can irritate a little, i havent noticed it in a long time though. Pedaling mobility is excellent too, but just walking around feels odd in them. The buckles are a bit sticky to disconnect, but thats better than popping loose mid crash.

Ive had a lot of knee/ shin armor over the years, best so far.
The tld lopes guard left me high and dry too many times, used them for a few months and gave up after a bad wreck leaving my knee a bloody mess.
THE storms were very good. Didnt move, very comfy, good coverage. I did crack the knee cup, but they saved me from badness.

I have also had others, from dianesse and race face back in the day. Armor has gotten better over the years, that's for sure.

buckoW · Dec 23, 2012

Verskis said:
Too bad they offer only knee pads, not knee/shin. I am perfectly happy with my POC's for knee-only protective needs.

Those Fox knee/shin pads might be good also. Do they have hard plastic cup on the knee under the fabric cover?

I'm not sure if I want a hard plastic cup on the surface, or do I want the surface to be something softer. Hard cup is good for sliding when riding with shorts, but softer cups are gentler to long pants when crashing.

There is a shin protector that attaches to the bottom of the knee pad on the Scotts.

kidwoo · Dec 23, 2012

buckoW said:
There is a shin protector that attaches to the bottom of the knee pad on the Scotts.

Hey what are those sweet shells/shirts that scott makes that look like plaid flannel shirts? What's the name I would look up if I wanted to buy one? One of those needs to live in my BC pack for the winter.

Da Peach · May 19, 2013

stiksandstones said:
No mention of the Lopes guards in here? the OP was looking for a knee shin, those work for me, but I am old school and like a lower guard, lots of protection...but also love our shock dr/TLD guards for general trail shredding, shuttling.
If you guys have critiques on the Lopes guard, let me know here, looking to revise them with Brian soon.

I hadn't noticed this comment.

I've got some Lopes and like them. I'd critique the velcro attachment of the shell to the knee sleeve. They work "okay", until you crash. An impact from the side or from above the knee allows the cap to peel back and become useless.

I like the knee sleeve, two-component system, but maybe a strap around the thigh would be better. That, or an over-sleeve like you see minnaar use over his Moabs.

this is sounding complicated...

Tomasis · May 19, 2013

I got Scott knee pads. Digging them!

I didnt use any strapping and L size fits snugly on my legs. Those got very warm easily in pants. Probably due lots of padding around though I will not fear use those on DH tracks except the most extreme ones.

I might make a review on scott guard stuffs when time comes.

intensified · May 19, 2013

them vpd bones are killer pads, i just used mine today for the first time and pretty impressed with them. the moabs were my second pic, but I really wanted to protect the entire shin poc gets it done.

kidwoo · May 19, 2013

Verskis said:
The only things to criticize is the stiffness of the pad when bending the knee into an extreme angle, and the slight lack of coverage between the knee cup and the shin guard. There's only a thin layer of soft material on that spot, but luckily the knee cup seems to sit pretty low when the pads have found their place on the leg, almost overlapping the shin guard, but if you are diving into a sharp rocks with a bent knee, the area between the plastic hard shells could get pierced if you are really unlucky.

Hasn't happened to me yet. I've eaten shlt pretty hard on those things too.

There's not 'pedal pads' but they also aren't useless like most of the ones that are. Still rockin 'em myself until I find something better.

gemini2k · May 19, 2013

I've been rocking the Leatt hardshell knee/shin's lately. I really like them. I think I like them more than my POC VPD bones stuff actually. Their upper body armor is better too.

juanbeegas · May 19, 2013

Kidwoo, have you ever had THE Storm knee/shins? If you have, how would you compare the Lizard Skins, in terms of fit and comfort? I'm really skinny and come from a country with really high humidity and heat.

kidwoo · May 19, 2013

juanbeegas said:
Kidwoo, have you ever had THE Storm knee/shins? If you have, how would you compare the Lizard Skins, in terms of fit and comfort? I'm really skinny and come from a country with really high humidity and heat.

I had two sets of those before getting the lizard things. They're pretty damn good. The top section is a little hokey and never felt solidly attached to my knee but after stuffing them a few times, I learned to trust them.

They're nowhere near as solid as the lizard skins though. I haven't had those budge at all. I only bought the LS pads because I couldn't find another pair of T.H.E. storms (dumbass me left them in the woods one day). I wouldn't buy another pair though after these.

Heat and humidity seem like they're only a factor when you've got them on a long time (we talking dh descents here or you want to pedal in them?). The lizard skins are surprisingly well ventilated when you're moving. I'd say they're definitely hotter than the storms if you're wearing them for more than that.

davet · May 19, 2013

stiksandstones said:
No mention of the Lopes guards in here? the OP was looking for a knee shin, those work for me, but I am old school and like a lower guard, lots of protection...but also love our shock dr/TLD guards for general trail shredding, shuttling.
If you guys have critiques on the Lopes guard, let me know here, looking to revise them with Brian soon.

I like the Lopes pads, very comfy. I use the knee sleeves for xc naunts some days. My only real complaint would be that in a hard impact the section between the knee and shin tears and separates. I've had this happen on 2 pairs.

juanbeegas · May 20, 2013

kidwoo said:
Heat and humidity seem like they're only a factor when you've got them on a long time (we talking dh descents here or you want to pedal in them?). The lizard skins are surprisingly well ventilated when you're moving. I'd say they're definitely hotter than the storms if you're wearing them for more than that.

Unfortunately, there are no shuttles where I'm from and any little "DH" we have, involves tons of pedalling to get to.
Yeah, those Storms are getting harder and harder to find. I'm almost at the end of the life of my second set and I'm just looking at alternatives. I'm not exactly the fastest, or do I go really big, so the Storms have kept me together quite well over the years.

*Edit - THE does have an online store, but after shipping, it makes it a lot more expensive than when a certain online retailer had them.
http://store.the-industries.com/c/protection_f1-storm_f1-storm-slip-on-knee-shin-guard
Maybe it'd be cheaper for you guys in America.

Sandwich · May 20, 2013

Sandwich said:
Pretty happy with my Kali Aazis 130s...

just an update here, my original ones broke unexpectedly (the kneecap cracked without impact) so my LBS (JRA Cycles is awesome) replaced them free of charge. They also let me grab a set of mediums as a replacement, which are friggin perfect. They fit perfect, are super comfortable, and breathe relatively well. Definitely a good option if you like the kneepad style but want a bit more protection for your shins.

bizutch · May 21, 2013

I have been wanting to try out the Lopes for a while now, but the velcro attachment has kep me away. I was thinking if the sleeve had a sewn in slim insert that the shell pad could "CLICK" into, it would be perfect.

There are these one sided "CLICK" attachments for the rainfly on my Sierra Designs tent that I think would be perfect for the application. Know what I'm talking about Stik?

Knee/shin guards

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